Shuttle loader for press

ABSTRACT

A shuttle for loading and unloading a mechanical or hydraulic press. A supporting frame is mounted to the press bed and extends outwardly from beneath the ram having a pair of parallel rods mounted thereatop. The shuttle is slidably mounted to the rods and is moved into and out of the press by a pneumatic cylinder also mounted to the supporting frame. A pair of valves are mounted to the opposite sides of the supporting frame and when depressed operate the pneumatic cylinder. A slidably mounted rod projects into the shuttle and locks the shuttle in the most inward position. Simultaneously the ram is unlocked for the downward stroke. A pressure plate mounted to the supporting frame is positioned beneath the shuttle to support the shuttle as the downward force from the ram is applied to the die shoe mounted atop the shuttle.

[ 1 Dec. 16, 1975 SHUTTLE LOADER FOR PRESS Inventors: Wayne D. Brooks, Losantville; Pmmm' Lanham Assistant E.\'aminerRobert M. Rogers Thomas L. Hendricks, New Castle,

Agent, or FirmWoodard. Weikart,

n o t h g u a N & t mh mm AE w e N 0 C 0 0 T & e n .i m m m m a n h g m a b M a e n .w 8 S A N 7 Castle, lnd.

ABSTRACT A shuttle for loading and unloading a mechanical or [22] Filed: June 6, 1973 hydraulic press. A supporting frame is mounted to the press bed and extends outwardly from beneath the 72 4 72/448; IOO/DIG. 18 ram having a pair of parallel rods mounted thereatop.

B21 J 13/00 The shuttle is slidably mounted to the rods and is 72/419 420, DIG 1 1, 448; moved into and out of the press by a pneumatic cylin- 214/1 113 13 oo 18, 53, 229 der also mounted to the supporting frame. A pair of valves are mounted to the opposite sides of the supporting frame and when depressed operate the pneu- 9 m 6 n .m 7 6 mmm 3 mua .H e 0 us an ma m. M P 5mm A UIF 11 11]] 1 211 0 2 555 R; 83/D1G. 1, 400, 563

matic cylinder. A slidably mounted rod projects into .the shuttle and locks the shuttle in the most inward [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS position. Simultaneously the ram is unlocked for the downward stroke. A pressure plate mounted to the supporting frame is positioned beneath the shuttle to support the shuttle as the downward force from the ram is applied to the die shoe mounted atop the shut- 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures t 097380 8 2 7.6 O 4 4445 .404 222363 2 7778 8/7 NW0 .8 0 WWW m n n i u a mnvm m .111. mmb

m mem n k CC anr. flom MBAGMFY 228993 4566667 9999999 HHHHHHHH 0042252 60495628 7al375004 93087678 5 36247 .6034478 U.S. Patent Dec. 16,1975 Sheet 1 Of3 3,926,032

34 ill I! Jin 35 37 US Patent Dec. 16, 1975 Sheet2of3 3,926,032

FIG.2

US. Patent Dec. 16, 1975 Sheet 3 of3 3,926,032

FIG.4

SHUTTLE LOADER FOR PRESS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention I This invention is in the field of press loaders.

2. Description of the Prior Art The Occupational Safety and Health Act Subpart 0, 1910.217 paragraph d (1) requires press users after Aug. 3 l 1974 to eliminate the need for the operator to place his hands or fingers within the point'of operation of a press. Several different types of devices have been provided, as outlined in the February 1973 issue to the magazine AUTOMATION, which will allow the operator to manually load the press without extending'his hands into the working area of the press. Many of these devices physically restrain the operators hands by including shackles and cables attached to the operators wrist. Other types of devices utilize barriers, enclosures and moving barriers and gates. Other devices use two palm buttons which must be simultaneously tripped to start the press stroke thereby'insur'ing that the operators hands are safely out of the danger zone during the die closing portion of the press cycle. Presence sensing devices have also been used to detect the presence of the operators hand in the danger zone. The presence sensing devices use ultrasonic, optical or capacitance screens.

Many of the prior art devices have distinct disadvantages. For example, the devices which restrict the operators movement in the press area reduce the efficiency of the operator and in addition, the operators prefer not to be tethered. Fixed barriers and enclosures prevent operator access to the die and therefore are best suited to automated high .volume stamping operations as contrasted to low production situations. Movable barriers and gates are manually operated and increase operator fatigue and reduce productivity.

As discussed in the aforementioned magazine, mechanical handling using the sliding plate loader and unloader provides many advantages for the small lot producer. One such device is produced by Danly Machine Corporation of Chicago, III. A similar slidable table is also produced by Weatherby and Associates of Middletown, OH. Disclosed herein is yet another linear type of shuttle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I One embodiment of the present invention is the combination of a press including a press bed and a ram movable to and from the press bed, the ram having mountable thereon a first die shoe, a support frame mounted on the press bed and extending outwardly from beneath the ram, the frame including a pair of spaced apart and parallel rods mounted thereatop which extend outwardly from beneath the ram, a shuttle slidably mounted on the rods to support a second die shoe complementary to the first die shoe, drive means including a driver connected to the shuttle and including two separate spaced apart operators requiring simultaneous actuation for operation of the driver,

the drive means being operable to move the shuttle with the driver from a press operating position immediately beneath the ram to a remote positionoutwardly from the ram and back to the operating position, and first locking means operable to lock the shuttle in the operating position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a press incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary end view of the press of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side view looking in the direction of arrows 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

' DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED I EMBODIMENT For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the. illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplatedas would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing,

there is shown a press 10 including a press bed 11 and a ram 12 which is moved to and from the press bed. Ram 12 includes a die shoe 44 (FIG. 4) mounted thereon. The ram may be moved by mechanical or hydraulic means.

Support frame 13 is fixedly mounted to press bed 11 and extends from the working area 14 (FIG. 3) outwardly to the loading area 15. Fixedly mounted to supports 13 are a pair of spaced apart and parallel rods 16 and 17 (FIG. 1) which extend outwardly from beneath ram 12.

A shuttle 18 is slidably mounted to rods 16 and 17 and is connected to the end of extendable piston rod 19 of pneumatic air cylinder 20. Die shoe 44 is mounted atop shuttle 18 and is positionable beneath die shoe 44 by pneumatic cylinder 20 which causes shuttle 18 to move into and out of the working press area. Die shoes 44 and 44' are complementary so as to produce the desired configuration of the product.

Shuttle 18 includes four bearing blocks 21, 22, 23 and 24 which are fixedly mounted to the comers of plate 25. The four bearing blocks are slidably mounted to rods 16 and 17 and have bearings mounted therein to provide for. smooth movement of the shuttle. Each block includes a V-shaped slot which opens into the hole through which the rod projects. For example, block 24 is provided with a V-shaped slot 26 which opens into hole 27 receiving rod 17. Rods l6 and 17 are in 'turn fixedly mounted atop V-shaped brackets which project through the V-shaped slots. For example,

rod 17 has its outer end fixedly mounted to V-shaped bracket 28 which projects through slot 26. Bracket 28 has a length extending only the approximate width of block 24 with rod 17 being unsupported from bracket 28 to bracket 29 which is integrally connected along the entire length of rod 17 which is positioned beneath the ram thereby providing additional support to the rod when downward force is applied to the shuttle by the ram. Rod 16 is supported in a similar manner.

A pair of palm valves 30 and 31 are mounted to the opposite sides of frame 13 and are connected between a source of pressurized air and pneumatic cylinder 20. For operation of the shuttle, both valves 30 and 31 must be depressed thereby causing cylinder to retract rod 19 and to move shuttle 18 into the working press area. Cylinder 20 is fixedly mounted to bracket 32 which in turn is mounted atop supporting frame 13. By requiring the simultaneous operation of valves 30 and 31 to activate cylinder 20, the operators hands will be positioned outwardly of the working press area.

Locking cylinder 33 is fixedly mounted to bracket 34 fastened to supporting frame 13. Locking cylinder 33 includes an extendable rod 35 which projects into hole 36 provided on plate when the shuttle is in the most inward position thereby preventing the shuttle from extending outwardly until rod 35 is released. Switch 37 is mounted to bracket 34 and includes a depressable contact 38 which is moved by projection 39 of shuttle 18 when the shuttle is in the most inward position. Switch 37 is connected to the control means within locking cylinder 33 so as to control the actuation of rod 35. Switch 37 may be a miniature electrical switch which is connected between a source of electrical energy and an electrical solenoid coil within cylinder 33 to control movement of rod 35.

A second locking cylinder 40 is mounted above the shuttle having an extendable rod 41 in contact with clutch 42 which releases the ram to move downwardly. Locking cylinder 40 may be electrically connected to locking cylinder 33 so that upon downward extension of rod 35, rod 41 is then caused to move downwardly by the control means within cylinder 40 thereby trip ping clutch 42 and allowing the ram to move downwardly to press the die shoes together. Upon formation of the product, the ram will then move upwardly thereby activating means for withdrawing rod 35 to allow for the outward movement of shuttle 18 by cylinder 20.

A pressure plate 43 is mounted atop supporting frame 13(FIG. 4) and immediately beneath ram 12. Plate 25 of shuttle 18 is spaced above supporting frame 13 so as to pass over pressure plate 43 as the shuttle moves inwardly to the operating position. The pressure plate 43 has sufficient thickness to contact plate 25 and limit the downward movement thereof when ram 12 applies downward force to the die shoe mounted atop the shuttle.

Many variations are contemplated and included in this invention such as utilizing hydraulic or pneumatic locking cylinders in lieu of electrical locking cylinders. Likewise, rods 16 and, 17 may be supported along the entire length of each rod.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that 4 come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.

We claim:

1. The combination of: a press including a press bed and a ram movable to and from said press bed, said ram having mountable thereon a first die shoe; a support frame mounted on said press bed and extending outwardly from beneath said ram, said frame including a pair of spaced apart and parallel rods mounted thereatop which extend outwardly from beneath said ram; a shuttle slidably mounted on said rods to support a second die shoe complementary to said first die shoe; drive means including a driver connected to said shuttle and including two separate spaced apart operators requiring simultaneous actuation for operation of said driver, said drive means being operable to move said shuttle from a press operating position immediately beneath said ram to a remote position outwardly from said ram and back to said operating position; and, first locking means operable to lock said shuttle in said operating position; said locking means includes a switch and a movably mounted locking rod on said support frame, said switch is operably connected to said movably mounted locking rod which moves into said shuttle when said shuttle moves to said operating position and contacts said switch, said locking rod projects into said shuttle preventing movement of said shuttle; a pressure plate mounted atop said support frame and beneath said ram and wherein: said shuttle includes a main frame slidably mounted on said rods which is spaced upwardly from said support frame to pass over said pressure plate as said shuttle moves to said operating position, said pressure plate has sufficient thickness to contact said main frame and limit downward movement thereof when said ram applies downward force thereto. 2. The combination of claim 1 and further comprismg:

second locking means mounted to said press and operably connected to said first locking means, said second locking means being operable to prevent movement of said ram toward said bed until said first locking means locks said shuttle in said operating position.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein:

said drive means includes a source of pressurized air connected to said driver which includes a pneumatic cylinder with an extendable piston rod connected to said shuttle, said two operators are two palm valves mounted to opposite sides of said support frame and connected between said source of pressurized air and said pneumatic cylinder to control the flow of pressurized air thereto.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein:

said main frame of said shuttle includes a main plate fixedly mounted to four bearing blocks located at each comer of said main plate, said blocks are slidably mounted to said rods, said rods are mounted atop a pair of brackets integrally connected along the lengths of said rods positioned beneath said ram, said blocks have holes through which said rods slide and V-shaped slots opening into said holes with said brackets moving through said slots as said shuttle slides under said ram.

5. The combination of:

a press including a press bed and a ram movable to and from said press bed, said ram having mountable thereon a first die shoe;

a support frame mounted on said press bed and extending outwardly from beneath said ram, said frame including a pair of spaced apart and parallel rods mounted thereatop which extend outwardly from beneath said ram;

a shuttle slidably mounted on said rods to support a second die shoe complementary to said first die shoe;

drive means including a driver connected to said shuttle and including two separate spaced apart operators requiring simultaneous actuation for operation of said driver, said drive means being operable to move said shuttle from a press operating position immediately beneath said ram to a remote position outwardly from said ram and back to said operating position;

first locking means operable to lock said shuttle in said operating position;

said locking means includes an actuator and a movably mounted locking rod on said support frame, said actuator is operably connected to said mov ably mounted locking rod which moves into said shuttle when said shuttle moves into said operating position and contacts said actuator, said locking rod projects into said shuttle preventing said shuttle from moving from said operating position.

6. The combination of claim 5 and further comprising:

a pressure plate mounted atop said support frame and beneath said ram and wherein:

said shuttle includes a main frame slidably mounted on said rods which is spaced upwardly from said support frame to pass over said pressure plate as said shuttle moves to said operating position, said pressure plate has sufficient thickness to contact said main frame and limit downward movement thereof when said ram applies downward force thereto.

7. The combination of claim 6 and further comprising:

second locking means mounted to said press and operably connected to said first locking means, said second locking means being operable to prevent movement of said ram toward said bed until said first locking means locks said shuttle in said operating position.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein:

said drive means includes a source of pressurized air connected to said driver which includes a pneumatic cylinder with an extendable piston rod connected to said shuttle, said two operators are two palm valves mounted to opposite sides of said support frame and connected between said source of pressurized air and said pneumatic cylinder to control the flow of pressurized air thereto.

The combination of:

a press including a press bed and a ram movable to and from said press bed, said ram having mountable thereon a first die shoe;

a support frame mounted on said press bed and extending outwardly from beneath said ram;

a shuttle slidably mounted on said support frame to support a second die shoe complementary to said first die shoe;

drive means including a driver connected to said shuttle, said drive means being operable to move said shuttle from a press operating position immediately beneath said ram to a remote position outwardly from said ram and back to said operating position;

first locking means operable to lock said shuttle in said operating position, said locking means includes an actuator and a movably mounted locking rod on said support frame, said actuator is operably connected to said movably mounted locking rod which moves into said shuttle when said shuttle moves to said operating position and contacts said actuator, said locking rod projects into said shuttle preventing said shuttle from moving from said operating position;

a pressure plate mounted atop said support frame and beneath said ram; and wherein:

said shuttle includes a main frame mounted upon but spaced from said support frame to pass over said pressure plate as said shuttle moves to said operating position, said pressure plate has sufficient thickness to contact said main frame and limit downward movement thereof when said ram applies downward force thereto.

10. The combination of:

a press including a press bed and a ram movable to and from said press bed, said ram having mountable thereon a first die shoe;

a support frame mounted on said press bed and extending outwardly from beneath said ram;

a shuttle slidably mounted on said support frame to support a second die shoe complementary to said first die shoe;

drive means including a driver connected to said shuttle, said drive means being operable to move said shuttle from a press operating position immediately beneath said ram to a remote position outwardly from said ram and back to said operating position;

first locking means operable to lock said shuttle into said operating position, said first locking means includes an actuator and a locking device mounted on said support frame engageable with said shuttle preventing said shuttle from moving from said operating position;

a pressure plate mounted atop said support frame and beneath said ram and wherein:

said shuttle includes a main frame slidably mounted atop but spaced from said support frame to pass over said pressure plate as said shuttle moves to said operating position, said pressure plate has sufficient thickness to contact said main frame and limit downward movement thereof when said'ram applies downward force thereto. 

1. The combination of: a press including a press bed and a ram movable to and from said press bed, said ram having mountable thereon a first die shoe; a support frame mounted on said press bed and extending outwardly from beneath said ram, said frame including a pair of spaced apart and parallel rods mounted thereatop which extend outwardly from beneath said ram; a shutTle slidably mounted on said rods to support a second die shoe complementary to said first die shoe; drive means including a driver connected to said shuttle and including two separate spaced apart operators requiring simultaneous actuation for operation of said driver, said drive means being operable to move said shuttle from a press operating position immediately beneath said ram to a remote position outwardly from said ram and back to said operating position; and, first locking means operable to lock said shuttle in said operating position; said locking means includes a switch and a movably mounted locking rod on said support frame, said switch is operably connected to said movably mounted locking rod which moves into said shuttle when said shuttle moves to said operating position and contacts said switch, said locking rod projects into said shuttle preventing movement of said shuttle; a pressure plate mounted atop said support frame and beneath said ram and wherein: said shuttle includes a main frame slidably mounted on said rods which is spaced upwardly from said support frame to pass over said pressure plate as said shuttle moves to said operating position, said pressure plate has sufficient thickness to contact said main frame and limit downward movement thereof when said ram applies downward force thereto.
 2. The combination of claim 1 and further comprising: second locking means mounted to said press and operably connected to said first locking means, said second locking means being operable to prevent movement of said ram toward said bed until said first locking means locks said shuttle in said operating position.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein: said drive means includes a source of pressurized air connected to said driver which includes a pneumatic cylinder with an extendable piston rod connected to said shuttle, said two operators are two palm valves mounted to opposite sides of said support frame and connected between said source of pressurized air and said pneumatic cylinder to control the flow of pressurized air thereto.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein: said main frame of said shuttle includes a main plate fixedly mounted to four bearing blocks located at each corner of said main plate, said blocks are slidably mounted to said rods, said rods are mounted atop a pair of brackets integrally connected along the lengths of said rods positioned beneath said ram, said blocks have holes through which said rods slide and V-shaped slots opening into said holes with said brackets moving through said slots as said shuttle slides under said ram.
 5. The combination of: a press including a press bed and a ram movable to and from said press bed, said ram having mountable thereon a first die shoe; a support frame mounted on said press bed and extending outwardly from beneath said ram, said frame including a pair of spaced apart and parallel rods mounted thereatop which extend outwardly from beneath said ram; a shuttle slidably mounted on said rods to support a second die shoe complementary to said first die shoe; drive means including a driver connected to said shuttle and including two separate spaced apart operators requiring simultaneous actuation for operation of said driver, said drive means being operable to move said shuttle from a press operating position immediately beneath said ram to a remote position outwardly from said ram and back to said operating position; first locking means operable to lock said shuttle in said operating position; said locking means includes an actuator and a movably mounted locking rod on said support frame, said actuator is operably connected to said movably mounted locking rod which moves into said shuttle when said shuttle moves into said operating position and contacts said actuator, said locking rod projects into said shuttle preventing said shuttle from moving from said operating position.
 6. The combination of claiM 5 and further comprising: a pressure plate mounted atop said support frame and beneath said ram and wherein: said shuttle includes a main frame slidably mounted on said rods which is spaced upwardly from said support frame to pass over said pressure plate as said shuttle moves to said operating position, said pressure plate has sufficient thickness to contact said main frame and limit downward movement thereof when said ram applies downward force thereto.
 7. The combination of claim 6 and further comprising: second locking means mounted to said press and operably connected to said first locking means, said second locking means being operable to prevent movement of said ram toward said bed until said first locking means locks said shuttle in said operating position.
 8. The combination of claim 7 wherein: said drive means includes a source of pressurized air connected to said driver which includes a pneumatic cylinder with an extendable piston rod connected to said shuttle, said two operators are two palm valves mounted to opposite sides of said support frame and connected between said source of pressurized air and said pneumatic cylinder to control the flow of pressurized air thereto.
 9. The combination of: a press including a press bed and a ram movable to and from said press bed, said ram having mountable thereon a first die shoe; a support frame mounted on said press bed and extending outwardly from beneath said ram; a shuttle slidably mounted on said support frame to support a second die shoe complementary to said first die shoe; drive means including a driver connected to said shuttle, said drive means being operable to move said shuttle from a press operating position immediately beneath said ram to a remote position outwardly from said ram and back to said operating position; first locking means operable to lock said shuttle in said operating position, said locking means includes an actuator and a movably mounted locking rod on said support frame, said actuator is operably connected to said movably mounted locking rod which moves into said shuttle when said shuttle moves to said operating position and contacts said actuator, said locking rod projects into said shuttle preventing said shuttle from moving from said operating position; a pressure plate mounted atop said support frame and beneath said ram; and wherein: said shuttle includes a main frame mounted upon but spaced from said support frame to pass over said pressure plate as said shuttle moves to said operating position, said pressure plate has sufficient thickness to contact said main frame and limit downward movement thereof when said ram applies downward force thereto.
 10. The combination of: a press including a press bed and a ram movable to and from said press bed, said ram having mountable thereon a first die shoe; a support frame mounted on said press bed and extending outwardly from beneath said ram; a shuttle slidably mounted on said support frame to support a second die shoe complementary to said first die shoe; drive means including a driver connected to said shuttle, said drive means being operable to move said shuttle from a press operating position immediately beneath said ram to a remote position outwardly from said ram and back to said operating position; first locking means operable to lock said shuttle into said operating position, said first locking means includes an actuator and a locking device mounted on said support frame engageable with said shuttle preventing said shuttle from moving from said operating position; a pressure plate mounted atop said support frame and beneath said ram and wherein: said shuttle includes a main frame slidably mounted atop but spaced from said support frame to pass over said pressure plate as said shuttle moves to said operating position, said pressure plate has sufficient thickness to contact said main frame and limit downward movement thereof wHen said ram applies downward force thereto. 